Thyolo teenager offers firearm for sale

Police in southern district of Thyolo are keeping in custody a 19 year-old boy for daring to sell a pistol to businessman.

The suspect, identified as Frank Pearford, from Kaipa village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Changata, was arrested on Wednesday when he attempted to sell the firearm to the businessman at Makwasa Trading Centre in the district.

The revolver had four live ammunitions, according to Thyolo police spokesperson Edith Kachotsa.

“Suspicious with the offer, which the suspect pegged at K250,000, the would-be customer pretended to cooperate before sneaking to police who immediately recovered the firearm,” said Kachotsa, adding that investigations to establish the source of the pistol are underway.

The suspect will answer charges of illegal possession of firearm contrary to Section 16 of the Firearms Act, which attracts a maximum jail term of 16 year.